The Devil in the Downs

Rated Event: 84.4%

NoName wrote:

Beautiful ride - very well organised - friendly people - will do this again next year

Rated Event: 100.0%

PhilFrean wrote:

Brilliant organisation by Adrian Palmer and his team. A huge amount of work involved in getting an event like this right. This event was preceded last year by a 125 mile test event (which I rode) to iron out problems.

Rated Event: 81.1%

AmeliaRussell wrote:

Very friendly sportive and a lovely sunny day, beautiful route on quiet roads. The signage was pretty sketchy - several times I got pretty worried that I'd taken a wrong turn as there were a few longish stretches without signs, and the arrows were difficult to read unless you were pretty close to them (dangerous at the bottom of a hill!!), and I ended up missing a 6 mile section in the middle. That said, the organisers had provided a paper map and list of directions, I just didn't bother looking at them....

Also slightly frustrating that the standards were the same for men and women - the only sportive I've done this year that's required 17.5mph average for a girl to get gold (despite striving for equality, girls just generally do go slower!).

Other than the signage and standards gripes though, this was a great event. I can't comment on the feeds as I didn't stop (and the second feed was on the loop I missed out :) ), but the free tea and coffee at the beginning was a nice touch, and the mountains of food at the end were great too. Good facilities, plenty of parking, and a really friendly atmosphere. Thank you :)

Rated Event: 84.4%

gh74761 wrote:

This was my 6th sportive this year, not including the l'etape du tour act I. An extremely friendly sportive, with regards to administration and participants. What this event lacked in polish, bells and whistles, it made up for in route, friendliness and sheer devilish climbs. The signage was a little sketchy but backed up with good paper directions. Road markings would have made a big difference and life a little more easy but don't get me wrong, I loved this sportive and the simplicity of it. A profile or a gpx would have helped too.
I find the cycle club organised sportives much more enjoyable than the more mainstream ones, and this route was clearly designed by a cyclist who knew his hills, lanes and villages. Don't expect cycle cleaning facilities etc, do expect a great welcome, friendly people and a tough route.